Sports news from Los Angeles and beyond

Chris Paul leads Clippers to 78-77 win over 76ers

Chris Paul made a 16-foot jumper from just beyond the free-throw line with 3.2 seconds left Friday night to push the Clippers to a 78-77 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.

Paul, who finished with 24 points on 10-for-20 shooting, also was part of a double-team with Kenyon Martin that smothered Lou Williams more than 25 feet from the rim on the final possession, preventing the 76ers guard from getting a good look at the basket for a potential game-winning last shot attempt.

The Clippers got a big defensive stop when they forced the 76ers into a five-second violation with 2:15 left. But the 76ers responded with tough defense of their own, preventing the Clippers from adding to a 74-73 lead.